RAMALLAH, The Israeli military on Monday (02/04/2013), say they have captured 25 members of Hamas in the West Bank. Among those arrested are three members of the Palestinian parliament.
“All night we rounded up 25 Palestinians throughout the West Bank,” the Israeli military said in a statement without giving other details.
Meanwhile, a number of groups Hamas sources said the arrests were at least 20 members arrested. “20 senior Hamas members were arrested in the West Bank, three of whom were members of parliament,” Hamas said in a statement. Hamas called the three members of parliament and it is Kafish Hatem Mohammad Al-Tal, both arrested in Hebron. Meanwhile, Ahmad Atoun arrested in Ramallah.
Hamas has 74 members in the Legislative Council of the Palestinian parliament consists of 132 seats. With this arrest, the 12 Hamas members of parliament are now in Israeli custody.
A number of sources in the Israeli security forces told AFP that Israel plans to arrest the suspected militants in the West Bank to reduce conflict and prevent rebellion.